Reading this brings back fond memories of my 'suntourer' mountain bike- very similar to the bikes posted by Happy Humber and Fletch. I recall the components being good quality - 18 speed with massive brake levers and biopace chainrings - but slightly dated even at 1992. Whoever thought of mounting the rear brakes under the rear stay clearly had no concept of sediment build up

It was my first Mountain bike and saw me through most of my high school years, before being sold to finance a new diamond back 'wildwood' which was nowhere near as good. If anyone knows of such a bike, particularly one with GT cowhorn bars, give me a hoy!

Yeah!!! vintage mtb is the radness. I'm on my way back to aus in the next few months. while in states i picked up some very nice bits. first build was a 1993 bridgestone MB-2 with Tom Ritchey twin plate crown fork, nice lugs and ritchey prestige tubeset. i put ritchey cranks, old white industries/ritchey wheelset on, xt thumbies and M732 derailleurs. yellow turbo and pink ourys on scott at-2 finished it.
BUT as nice as it was (you can see it on flickr if you search for "bridgestone" and "MB-2" and "turbo") i felt like i was smashing it to pieces on the appalachian (read: steepy and techy) trails i was hitting. bridgestones (and i guess any other high end lugged mtbs) tend to be succeptible to ovalised head tubes because of the thinner guage HTs.

so i built a '91 ritchey up, TIG/fillet brazed, maybe an ultra, as a single speed and man, its the most fun i've ever had on a bike. i havent got many pics of it, but i'll find one soon.

I also picked up a 93 marin pine mountain with XT for the wife (with the wicked matte black with flouro orange rear triagle and stem) as well as a '91 MB-2. She prefers the marin and its now running as a single speed too. you can see pics of her Marin on flickr if you search "marin" and "mtb" and "knoxville". we even found a NOS pair of shimano shoes to go with her bike

My mate Pete in melb has a Yo Eddy that he built up with M900 and synchros bits, its unbelievable. i'm sure he'd be keen ofr a meet up.

I still have my 1991 Shogun Prairie Breaker Team Issue which is about to undergo its third transformation. Bought it originally as a used frame-set and added the bits from my trailbreaker to complete it. Then I reconfigured it as a commuter bike which I commuted to work on. Then it just sat around not being used until recently when my bulging waist-line necessitated me using it as a work commuter and hopefully some XC riding as well. Will post pic when I have enough posts.

Last edited by Christo on Mon Nov 24, 2008 11:03 am, edited 1 time in total.

1988/89 Repco 'High Sierra' MTB. Full Exage 'Mountain'. I have cleaned it up since these pix, but then took it on a dirt ride and have not cleaned again. I am using it for my daily commute (9km each way) and am finding it very comfy to ride. Those big tyres soak up all the bumps

Here is a picture of my Gary Fisher CR-7. circa 1988/89.Alloy main frame with cro-moly rear triangle, bolted at top of seat tube and inserted into BB.Suntour XC comp components. Suntour pedals not shown. All original.Needs tyres

I've got one of these sitting in the garage, it's an old Apollo Kosciusko. Does anyone know anything about these bikes? If it's nothing special I'm just going to chuck it on ebay as it's just taking up room atm...

Apollo Kosciuscko was a decent quality mid-range bike in its day. Very stable ride but pretty slow in tight technical terrain by comparison to today's MTBs. This would make a great bike to convert to an expedition 26" touring MTB. It would ride very nicely with front and rear racks and panniers due to its long wheelbase, has a long chainstay for good heel clearance and plenty of room to fit mudguards.

I also have a Shogun Team issue. !986 I think....red white and black with all XT components. Its going through its 3rd build now. Building it up as a 1x7 city flyer. Mavic rims , control tech brakes , hyperlite bar, chris king and bullseye hubs. Starting to look good.

ukalipt wrote:i feel retro MTB are going to be the next thing, and these will all be moddedto single speeds, for weight and also the cleaner lines etc.

I agree, and there are so many being thrown out regularly. This was one of three i could stuff into the bike rack, and one of at least a dozen i have seen in a two kilometre radius over a period o a few months. I have an Radius and a malvern Star from a slightly later period waiting for some attention. not fantastic quality stuff, but all easily converted to single speed.

Richard

"There is nothing whatsoever that is not made easier with acquaintance" - Santideva

and second is the duck's nuts, the bee's knees, the cat's pyjamas, and (to my mind) better than the dogs bolxRitchey 1989 Timbercomp. Fully fillet brazed by Tom Ritchey. If anyone has a fillet brazed TR stem, LET ME KNOW.

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